Dublin ready to ‘change gear’ in preparation for Brexit

During the cabinet away day, ministers discussed Brexit contingency plans to prepare for a hard Brexit.

Not simply to fall back onto previous positions which have already been proven unworkable, she will add.

"And, on that basis, I look forward to resuming constructive discussions".

Barnier underscored the importance of settling the Irish border, saying "we can not afford to lose time on this issue and this is why we have invited the U.K.to work" on the issue next week.

Speaking on Thursday the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said it was "a matter of urgency to agree on legally operative backstop for Ireland and Northern Ireland (as) an all-weather insurance policy".

Mrs Foster said her party wants "a sensible exit from the EU" that works for the UK, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

"What we are doing at the moment is working for a deal", she told members of the House of Commons liaison committee.

Mr Raab said that he was looking forward "with renewed energy, vigour and vim" to seeing the detail of the White Paper hammered out after a gruelling Cabinet conclave at Chequers.

But earlier this week, the government backed an amendment to its Customs Bill that would make it illegal for Northern Ireland to be outside the UK's customs territory.

"Because of the political disputes this week people are talking up a no-deal Brexit, which I think is very, very unlikely".

One that sets us on course for a prosperous future, protecting jobs and boosting prosperity.

A brighter future for Northern Ireland - where we restore devolution and come together again as a community to serve the interests of the people.

The Conservatives leader will speak to businesses in the region about the challenges posed by Brexit.

Mrs May is to call on the European Union to respond to her Brexit white paper and backstop proposal.

Brexiteer Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom put some pressure on Mrs May's plan, saying the European Union must be told the Chequers blueprint, which has divided the Conservative party, is the "final offer" rather than an opening gambit.

According to The Times, European governments are firmly against Mrs May's complicated customs plan but divided on allowing the United Kingdom access to the Single Market in return for following EU rules on goods, as her white paper proposes.

She sought to dispel criticism from Brexiteers by arguing that rules on goods "have been relatively stable for 30 years", that most standards are set by global bodies "which we will remain a member of after we leave the EU" and that United Kingdom businesses trading with the single market "will continue to meet these rules anyway". May told MPs on Thursday that the British government would publish around 70 "technical notices" in the next few months that will tell business and citizens what they should do in the event of Britain leaving the European Union without a deal. "If we are in a no-deal scenario then we will lay out the consequences for the public".